Installment #27 Tucker

 Tucker laid the brush on the counter and slipped the black elastic band over his pony tail.  He looked at himself in the mirror and smiled.  He had on his new jeans and his red tee shirt.  He had trimmed his beard and was fresh from the shower.  He knew he looked good.  Just a splash of Aqua Velva and he was ready.  Cynthia would be here pretty soon.  They were going to Rojo’s for lunch.  They could eat there for under $10.00.  Cynthia had shown him how to flip the menu over and order ala carte burrito for $2.50 and if they drank water the bill was just over $5.00.  It was a game they played and both of them enjoyed it.

     It had not been an easy road to get her to resume the easy friendship they shared.    She insisted on taking her own car.  Guess she thought if they had another argument she would not have a ride.  She hadn’t figured out yet that Tucker was not going to bring up the subject of politics.  Not him.  No way.  That had been a very long 5 months and he was not going through that again. 

     This was the first time he would be seeing her after “that night”.  He had talked to her on the phone several times, but she always had a reason not to see him.  He knew he had scared her that night.  He knew how to intimidate women and he had drawn himself up to his full height and glared down at her.  He still felt sad when he remembered that.  He thought briefly about apologizing, but he just could not do that.  He would just have to show her.  He would be kind and he would not say anything bad about that damned Obama.  Maybe he could even think of something nice to say about him.  Well, that would be a real stretch and he knew it!  Just no apology.  That was a sign of weakness and Tucker Fuhrman was not a weak man.

     He smiled at his reflection in the mirror.  Life was good.  He picked up his billfold and thought briefly about leaving it on the counter.  Then Cynthia would buy because he forgot his money.  He had used that trick on several of the women he had dated.  He had even used it on Cynthia a time or two.  No sense wasting his money, but the separation from Cynthia and the loneliness were still fresh in his mind so he slid the wallet in his front pocket.  He did not like to set on it.  Made his butt sore.

     He walked slowly down the stairs and glanced out the window.  Yes!  She was here.  She had just pulled up.  He opened the door, locked it behind himself, and walked to her Ford.  Opening the door, he settled himself in the passenger seat and smiled at her.  “You look lovely, Cyn.  Course you always look lovely.  Shows I have good taste.”  She laughed.  This woman was so easy to be around and she understood his sense of humor.  He was very glad he had called her.  He was even happier that she had answered.